Branson aldermen consider fiscal 2009 budget

The Branson Board of Aldermen on Oct. 28 gave first-reading approval to the city's fiscal 2009 budget, and it calls for a $1.2 million deficit.

The budget, which also was presented for public hearing at the board meeting, includes $45.5 million in revenue and $46.7 million in expenditures.

Adjustments for fiscal 2009 include a hiring freeze, combining positions where possible, not purchasing new equipment or city vehicles, and delaying some capital improvement projects, according to a city news release.

The budget does provide funding to finish the Fall Creek Road project, which extends Fall Creek from State Highway 76 north to Roark Valley Road and eliminates the curve at the 76 intersection. Other capital projects to be completed are the Roark Valley Road project at Forsythe, engineering for the Highway 65/Highway 248 interchange, and equipment for the fire department.

The budget predicts a $6 million fund balance at the end of fiscal 2009, down by about $2 million from the fiscal 2008 fund balance, the release said.

The board is scheduled to put the budget to a final vote at its Nov. 3 meeting.